Greta Thunberg’s flotilla for Gaza catches fire after being ‘hit by drone’

A boat sailing as part of a flotilla to deliver aid to Gaza has been hit by a drone, it’s been claimed.

The Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza, which is carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg, said one of its boats was hit by a drone in Tunisian waters.

Tunisia denies this, saying an explosion originated inside the vessel.

A National Guard spokesperson told Mosaique FM radio that reports of a drone attack on the flotilla ‘have no basis in truth’.

The Portuguese-flagged boat, which was carrying the flotilla’s steering committee, caught fire which damaged its main deck and below-deck storage.

The flotilla said all six passengers and crew are safe.

The Global Sumud Flotilla boat caught fire after an alleged drone attack

Following the strike, dozens of people gathered at Sidi Bou Said port in Tunisia, where the flotilla’s boats were docked, waving Palestinian flags and chanting ‘free Palestine’.

A spokesperson for the flotilla said it was launching an investigation into the alleged drone attack.

They added: ‘Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating and derailing our mission will not deter us. Our peaceful mission to break the siege on Gaza and stand in solidarity with its people continues with determination and resolve.’

The flotilla is an international initiative trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza via civilian boats supported by delegations from 44 countries.

Israel has imposed a naval blockade since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, saying it aims to stop weapons from reaching the militant group.

Gaza was sealed off by land in March for three months, letting in no aid, after Israel argued Hamas was stealing it.

Greta Thunberg waving as the boat set sail from Barcelona last month (Picture: AP/Emilio Morenatti)

In June, Israeli naval forces boarded and seized a British-flagged yacht carrying Greta Thunberg and 11 others. Israel dismissed the aid ship as a propaganda stunt in support of Hamas.

Since then, aid organisations have warned of ‘mass starvation’ of the civilian population.

In August the World Health Organisation declared a famine in Gaza, and the UN’s humanitarian chief said it was the direct result of Israel’s ‘systematic obstruction’ of aid.

The report was labelled an ‘outright lie’ by Israel, which denied there is starvation in Israel, but a limited amount of aid has been allowed into the territory after increasing international pressure.

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